Dorothy Kuehl, 90

January 17, 2012

Dorothy entered into this world on July 30, 1921 at Oconto Falls, Wisc., and left this worldly existence on Jan. 14, 2012, at the Homestead Assisted Living Center in St. Anthony. In the 90 years she walked on this earth, she saw a great many achievements and tragedies, and her faith in Jesus Christ saw her through each and every one of them.
Dorothy had a number of callings in her life: daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt; in each of these she used her greatest gift, teaching. Whether it was teaching the basics of reading and arithmetic to first graders or guiding her grandchildren through the basics of doughnut-making, she gave each her best efforts and each task was filled with love.
Dorothy was the daughter of Robert and Leefay Wilfong Flint and graduated from Manilla High School in Manilla, Iowa, and went on to obtain her teaching certificate from Western Union College in LaMars, Iowa.
After teaching at several schools in Iowa, she embarked on a grand adventure and accepted a teaching position in Boise. It was through a roommate and fellow teacher that she met her future husband, Erich Kuehl. Erich and Dorothy were married on June 24, 1948 in Dennison, Iowa, and then returned to Ashton where they settled on the family farm.
Dorothy taught school for many years, taking time off to raise her children. She was a devoted farm wife, helping her husband raise the crops and taking care of the livestock. She returned to teaching when the youngest went to school. She attended Idaho State University in the summers to receive her bachelorâ€™s degree in Education and taught fourth grade at Ashton Elementary for 15 years, retiring in 1983. Even after retirement, she continued to mentor children, helping several teachers in their classrooms.
When they could, the couple traveled to visit grandkids and various places in the West. They also enjoyed camping together with family and friends. When Erichâ€™s health began to fail, she took wonderful care of him until his passing in February, 2006. Dorothy continued to live on the family farm until last spring, when she moved to the Homestead Assisted Living Center in St. Anthony, where she continued to make friends and inspire people.
She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, serving in Mary Martha League and Lutheran Womenâ€™s Missionary League. She was a member of the Helping Hands Auxiliary for Ashton Memorial Hospital and volunteered at both the Hess Heritage Museum and the Ashton Visitorâ€™s Center. She was honored to be named Fremont County Farm Bureau Woman of the year in 2006.
Dorothy leaves her children; Beth (Jon) Sims of Cheyenne, Wyo.; Mark (Kaye) Kuehl of Ashton; Joy (Mike) VanHeule of Lander, Wyo.; and Lorraine (Rick) Anthony of Blackfoot; eight grandchildren; Cicely Kuehl, Britton VanHeule, Kyle Sims, Nathan Kuehl, Blake Sims, Tyler VanHeule, Matthew Anthony, Breanna Anthony, great-grandchildren; Kallie and Erich VanHeule and her sister Margaret (Art) Joens. Her parents, her husband and a great many aunts, uncles and cousins are there to welcome her into her eternal home.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Ashton with Pastor Leslie Judge officiating. The family will visit with friends Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012 from 5:30 â€“ 7 p.m. at Baxter Funeral Home in Ashton and one hour before the service on Wednesday. Burial will be at Squirrel Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Creekside Home Health and Hospice and the Homestead Assisted Living Center family for all the wonderful care given to their Mom and to all those who have the shown their love and support to the family during this difficult time.